I finished a Galax-style dulcimer(picture attached) last year using wormy chestnut, but ran out of wood before completing a double bottom. I've decided to add the double bottom, probably using poplar painted or stained black. My question is the thickness of the spacing blocks and the double bottom. I've seen pictures of Ben Seymour's (Kudzu Patch) and Jacob Melton's (in Ralph Lee Smith's book) dulcimers and read Clare's transcription of Dave Lynch's instructions. Is there anything other than aesthetics guiding the spacing and thickness of the double bottom? Also, since I'll be using book-matched pieces, is there any reason to not use a back brace(1/8 x 5/8 spruce)?

Jon, that's one beautiful dulcimer! Very authentic-looking. When I did my research into making a Galax dulcimer, I found that the spacers tended to be right around 1/8". I saw some of the Meltons' Galax dulcimers at the Blue Ridge Institute last fall, and the spacers looked to be that thickness to me. Congratulations!

Hello,I am new to dulcimer building. I just finished my first, a teardrop style, and am looking to build a double bottomed galax style. Could anyone tell me if the second bottom, closest to the players lap would need any bracing. My plan is to create standoffs discussed in other posts. I plan to brace the upper bottom but am not sure about the second bottom. Thanks in advance.

A longitudinal brace - along the joint of the second back, which does not touch anything else, would be OK. But if you make any connections between the middle of the second back and the inside back (other than the standoffs around the edge), you'll basically be defeating the purpose of the second back - that is to allow the inner back to vibrate to the fullest. No need for any other bracing on the second or outer back which touches the player's lap. In fact, the outer back can be a thicker piece of wood - even 1/4" if you wanted!

I use 1/8" 5 ply baltic birch. This wood is completely stable without any bracing. You only need to add the offsets on the edges. I like to add a decorative veneer to the otherwise dull grained birch...Bob.